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Bipolar Disorder


What is it?


Bipolar Disorder is a type of mood disorder that can cause either an extremely high mood called Mania or a very low which is considered Bipolar Depression. Bipolar Disorder involves major mood swings and is normally combined with another mental illness. There is also such thing as a mixed state. A mixed state is when both depressive and mania states are present at the same time. When this happens it can lead to psychotic symptoms including delusions and hallucinations.

There are at least three types of Bipolar Disorder. These include Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymia.
Bipolar Disorder is broken into Mania, Depressive, and Mixed. Mania is elevated state of mood, Depressive is a lower state of mood, and Mixed is when both are present.

There are many signs and symptoms of the two most know sides. Mania and Depressive although both are believed to be genetic and does run in families though not present in everyone. Some of the symptoms may include:

Bipolar Mania Symptoms
  • Being easily distracted
  • Little need for sleep
  • Poor judgement
  • Poor temper control
  • Reckless behavior
    • Binge eating
    • Drinking
    • Promiscuity
  • Elevated mood
    • Hyperactivity
    • Increased energy
    • Racing thoughts
    • Talking a lot
    • High self esteem
  • Upset and agitated

Bipolar Depression Symptoms
  • Persistent sadness
  • Anxiety
  • Guilt
  • Anger
  • Isolation
  • Hopelessness
  • Disturbance in sleep and appetite
  • Fatigue and loss of interest
  • Problems concentrating
  • Loneliness
  • Self loathing, apathy, or indifference
  • Depersonalization
  • Loss of interest in sexual activity
  • Shyness
  • Social Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Chronic pain
  • Eating problems
  • Thoughts of death and suicide
  • Trouble getting to sleep
  • Sleeping to much

As for public view of Bipolar Disorder, not much is to be said. It's one of the better known mental illnesses as a major indicator for Bipolar Disorder so they are put together a lot of the time.
There is no known cure but treatment is available. Treatment can include anti-depressants and therapy are the most known and useful treatments. Treatment is available and highly recommended among people who have been diagnosed.
Links

Mood Disorders

Schizophrenia


Sources

http://enwikipedia.org/wiki/bipolar_disorder


www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Diseases and Disorders volume 3 pages 87 - 89